News

Recycling - it’s worth it

Looking good and feeling good is the theme of this year’s Recycle Week taking place from 25 September to 1 October.

Rotherham Council is encouraging residents to focus on reducing the amount of recyclable bathroom items like toilet roll tubes, toothpaste boxes and fragrance bottles currently evading the recycling bin.

If every household in Rotherham recycled two more toilet roll tubes, this would save enough energy to power a typical primary school for three days. Recycling one more toothpaste box would save enough energy to power a school for four days.

New research from Recycle Now shows that in the UK, almost 90% of packaging is recycled in our kitchens, while just over half (52%) of items are recycled in the bathroom.

Over a third (38%) of the UK population say they don’t always recycle glass items such as empty aftershave and perfume bottles.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Waste, Roads and Community Safety, Cllr Emma Hoddinott, said: "I want to thank residents for the recycling that’s already being done, and ensuring less of our waste goes to landfill. But there's always more that can be done, and this week is about renewing our efforts to recycle.”

Head of Recycle Now, Linda Crichton, said: “Many of us have our daily bathroom routines in place – whether we’re getting ready to go to work, out for a party or just settling down for a night in. During Recycle Week, we are looking to shake up those routines and let people know what they can do good for the environment you live in in the process of looking good.”

Top bathroom recycling tips:

Rinse containers before they go in the recycling bin

Put caps and lids back on your glass containers before recycling

Mirrors and nail varnish bottles are not recyclable and should be put in your general waste

For more information about your local recycling scheme, including what can and can’t be recycled from around the house.